The International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation has announced the second recipient of the Dr Howard Murad Research Grant at the 24th annual ISPA Conference & Expo, which has just taken place in Las Vegas, US, between 13-15 October.

Dr Rashmi Mullur of Los Angeles, US, will receive US$45,000 (€35,165, £28,155) toward her research, which is looking into determining the effects of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention on markers of stress and ageing in veterans with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Dr Howard Murad Research Grant, established in April 2008, offers financial assistance to researchers whose studies address cultural stress, its effects and ways to manage it. Howard Murad is an authority on skin health and creator of the Murad skincare brand.

“I’m very excited to be working on this new study with ISPA, Dr Mullur and her team as we attempt, through an inclusive health approach, to introduce new ways to enhance the quality of life for our veterans suffering from PTSD,” said Murad.

Mullur added: “By providing a comprehensive approach to care that focuses on wellbeing of the whole individual, this programme aims to provide a strategy to alleviate the burdens of PTSD. We hope to show that spa-style interventions can improve overall health and wellbeing – and provide a viable tool to reduce stress and prevent chronic disease.”

Dr Mullur is a graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is now a staff endocrinologist with the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Most recently, Mullur has completed a study of a ten minute yoga-based relaxation project in the management of diabetes.

"The ISPA Foundation is honoured to support this research, as it provides great value to the veteran population and our industry," said Jeff Kohl, ISPA Foundation chair.

The first recipient of the grant was Michelle Calvarese, who based her research on the correlation between general health and job satisfaction. She surveyed 500 university students between the ages of 18 and 35 and, in 2009, concluded that there is a correlation between health and job satisfaction. The vast majority of respondents who were generally satisfied with their work were also in generally good health.

The ISPA Foundation was created in 1999 to serve the educational and research needs of the spa industry through endowments, curriculum development and scholarships.